ARTICLE I: Name

ARTICLE II: Objectives

The objectives of the Toronto Gay Golf Group are:

To provide and protect the opportunity for individuals, who support the bonds of gay fellowship, to play golf and socialize in an atmosphere of friendly competition, free of discrimination on the basis of age, race, creed, sex, ability and sexual orientation.

To plan and organize social events, golf games and golf tournaments for the members of TGG.

To promote the development of leadership, fellowship, coaching and golf skill development within the Group.

To institute and regulate the rules and regulations of this Constitution approved in 2003, and as amended.

ARTICLE III: Restrictions and limitations

The TGG will allow any commercial affiliation. Approval of any advertisements, proposal, contracts and donations must have prior approval of the TGG Executive before being ratified.

All material and club/ facility donations must be approved by the TGG Executive.

The TGG will have no political affiliation or participation in political issues. except where the function and/or existence of the TGG is jeopardized.

Should the executive make a decision to become involved, where jeopardy exists. with a political issue, cause or movement. that decision must be presented to, and voted upon. by the membership at large, through a "special meeting".

When the membership-at-large votes to act upon a political issue as specified above, before action is taken. any member of the TGG will have the opportunity to remove his name from membership lists and disassociate himself from the TGG formally.

ARTICLE IV: Membership

Membership in this Group shall be open to all individuals who comply with the objectives of the TGG Constitution, and who have paid their annual dues.

There are two (2) categories of membership:
a) Player – a person who elects to be a golf player on their application form.
b) Non-player – a person assigned to an event, who does not play golf; but may function in any other Group capacity (i.e. instructor/coach, convener/manager, statistician, etc.)

Any member whose name has been brought forward to the attention of the President on charges of unsportman-like conduct or conduct unbecoming a member of the TGG and/or violating the Constitution of the TGG may have his membership status in the group reviewed by a three (3) person committee appointed by the Executive and chaired by the President. The committee in investigating the complaint, will seek representations from all parties concerned.
As a result of said review. the committee may recommend that a member may have his membership suspended from participating farther in TGG events. forfeiting all dues. fees paid, and the right to participate in its activities for the balance of the calendar year. Any suspensions must be ratified by a tow-thirds majority vote of the full, current Executive.

The incoming Executive shall determine the amount of the annual dues that each member pays for that particular season, and the membership fee must be submitted with the application for membership and injury waiver and be made payable to the TGG. prior to playing golf or participating in tournament play.

ARTICLE VI: Duties and responsibilities of the executive officers

GENERAL: All members of the Executive have one vote, except for the President, who in the event of a tie has a second and deciding vote.

The Chair of any Committee of the TGG shall be a member of the TGG, in good standing.

It is the responsibility of all members of the Executive to be present regularly at Executive meetings, to take an active rote in participating in the discussion of issues brought before the executive, and to contribute to the implementation of TGG policies, goals and ongoing activities, as well as to generate and promote pride in the business and professional affairs of the TGG on behalf of its membership.

The President will ensure that all members of the TGG's Executive are bondable for insurance purposes.

In accordance with the definition of the Treasurer's responsibilities, any Chair responsible for an event shall ensure that a statement of receipts and disbursements for the event be completed within fifteen (15) days of that event.

Each year, the Executive will provide a Membership handbook to each member of the TGG, at the time of their registration, which contains: the names of the Executive Officers; TGG Constitution; Financial Statement of the previous year; current year budget; and a summary of the General Rules of golf practiced by TGG.

Each Executive body will create the following Committees at the beginning of their mandate:

Constitution Committee

Awards Committee

Scheduling Committee

Each committee will have a minimum of three (3) members.

IMPEACHMENT: A special meeting of the general body solely for the purpose of impeachment of any officer may be called by a two-thirds majority of the executive or by a simple majority of the general membership (by petition to the Executive). Any officer so impeached shall be removed from office only upon a two-thirds majority vote in favor of such removal of those members present at such meeting, with proper notice to all members having been given.

ARTICLE VII: Elections

All Nominees for elected positions must come from the previous year's membership.

The call for nominations for the following year's Executive commence at the annual business meeting and should remain open for approximately two weeks.

Voting privileges shall be restricted to all members who have paid full dues and who remain members in good standing.

Any officer elected with take office the following November 1st an shall serve one (1) full year.

Elected positions vacated or not filled, are to be filled by means of appointment by the TGG Executive. The appointment will be made no earlier than one week following notification of the vacancy of the general memberships.

ELECTION COMMITTEE: One week prior to the annual business meeting, the Executive will appoint an Election Committee consisting of not less than three (3) active members of the TGG, who are not running for a position, one (1) of whom will be appointed chairperson (returning officer) and will be responsible to the Executive.

A ballot will be considered spoiled if any mark other than specified on the ballot appears. A corrected ballot will be considered invalid. A spoiled ballot can be exchanged through the returning officer.

ARTICLE VIII: Affiliations

The TGG Executive will continually assess the benefits of affiliation with other social and sports leagues serving the gay community in Toronto, provincially, nationally and internationally, and report their recommendations to the membership.

The TGG shall develop and maintain association with other golf leagues, or similar groups in an effort to provide opportunity for the participation of TGG members in a wider range of social, golfing activities and tournaments.

ARTICLE IX: Rules and regulations for TGG executive and general membership meetings

The TGG by-laws shall be considered an appendix (#2) to this document.

"Questions of privileges" concern the organization of the meetings (i.e. heat, noise, comfort) the conduct of members at the meeting and accuracy of minutes and publications.

"Questions of order" concern the order of business at the meeting, the adherence to adopted rules and guidelines, and a request for a count of vote.

"Questions of order and privileges" may interrupt a speaker. The chair rules.

All persons must be recognized by the Chair before speaking.

Only one person can have the floor at any one time.

A motion will NOT be discussed, nor voted on unless seconded by a member of TGG.

A motion is out of order if it is moved while a motion of higher precedence has the floor.

Any motion of a higher precedence can be moved when a motion of lower precedence is before the meeting. Only one (1) main motion can be before the meeting at any on time.

No member shall speak twice on the same subject without the permission of the Chair. The exception is the presenter, who may open debate an provide summation. Each speaker is limited to five (5) minutes unless this rule is waived by the Chair.

A motion to suspend the rules of order must specify what procedures will be adopted.

A motion to withdraw can only be made by the presenters of the motion.

A motion to table must specify at what time the motion win be considered.

A motion to refer to committee, must specify the size of the committee and method of selection unless a standing committee exists.

Amendments of the third degree are not permitted, only two (2) amendments per motion.

The chairperson can move only the following motions:
a) suspend rules of order,
b) call the question (call vote an immediate vote) and,
c) limit debate.

A quorum for an Executive meeting is fifty per cent (50%) of the Executive members. A quorum for general membership meetings is ten per cent (10%) of the general membership.

The Executive will review all proposed Constitutional changes and must circulate the same at least seven (7) days prior to the annual business meeting, at which time these changes will be presented. The order of the priority is as follows: all Constitutional changes by the Constitution Committee are dealt with firstly; all other proposed Constitutional changes from whatever source are then dealt with. Only those issues related to those presented to the Executive may be discussed at the Annual General Meeting (AGM).

In cases of tie votes at both the Executive and General Memberships Level, the President/Chairperson (or chairperson if the President is absent) will have the tie-breaking vote. In counting the vote, an exact count will be recorded at the Executive level, but yes/no show of hands will suffice at the General Membership meetings unless an exact count is requested (through a point of order). In determining whether a motion passed, abstentions will be ignored.

Attendance at Executive and General Membership meetings by observers will be allowed. They will not be allowed to participate unless a motion has been brought forth specifying that an observer will be allowed to speak. If such a motion is introduced, the presenter will be allowed to for five (5) minutes, followed by the chief opponent for five (5) minutes. A vote will follow immediately. A majority vote is required for passage.